Hope you all enjoyed a relaxing Easter? I fancy a change to the usual Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Cape Town hikes next Easter! I don't suppose any of you have any Western Cape recommendations? Cederberg, Klein Swarberg, Dutoitskloof near Paarl? Can one hike near Seweweekspoortpiek? I like staying in rest camps (like Thendele or Didima in the Drakensberg). Sedan car access would be ideal too

How about the Otter Trail - iconic 5 day route? --> Storms River.
Or the shorter version of this Harkeville (over night)? --> Knysna side.
Cederberg - can pretty much make ur own route...up Krakadouw (speling), Tafelberg?

I regularly give advice on an internet site to prospective visitors to London. I am always curious about what decisions and choices they ended up making, but most don't re-post.. With that in mind, here is a little update on my hiking plans..

I am torn between farms and self-catering chalets at Driehoek, Sanddrif, Dwarsrivier, Jamaka, and Kromrivier.. I want to choose the one that offers the best views as well as easy opportunities to hike up to high points eg Wolfberg Cracks and arch?

I've been told the gravel road off the N7 near Citrusdal is terrible and is best done in a high clearance vehicle. I have heard though that the gravel road turning right just north of Op die Berg is fine for even a little car?

This is the road you are talking about (drives over the Olifants River to Algeria, Tafelberg, Wolfberg cracks, Kromriver...) - http://goo.gl/maps/awj5r

The last time I drove this road it was corrugated but I am almost 100% sure that you would never need a high clearance vehicle to drive it. See above my comments on tyre pressure and taking it slow.
Anyone driven this road lately?

All of the main roads in the Cederberg, with the exception of the Maitjiesrivier to Wupperthal road, are fine in a normal car, just drive slowly over the corrugations. I've seen all sorts of cars deep in the Cederberg from 4x4 to Audi RS4's... A Polo will be more than fine.

The Wolfberg Cracks property is owned by the Niewoudts, who run Sanddrift. Permits can be obtained from the farm (Dwarsrivier) just up the road from Sanddrift. It used to be that if you were staying on their property then you did not need a permit but this is (sadly) no longer so. Ostensibly the permit system was put in place so that the farmer would know how many people were where on their property but as no one every checks permits or sees that you return, it doesn't work. We are trying to a get a once-off permit system that you can buy for the entire duration of your stay in place but it is slow going.

FYI, if you are planning on climbing, the West face of the Wolfberg gets afternoon sun in winter and is quite miserable in the shade in the morning. If you are hiking, go explore the Eastern side of the Wolfberg (to your right as you come out of the cracks on top), there is a magnificent amphitheater on that side.

Jamaka is a long way from the "real" Cederberg attractions. You can't get more convenient than Sanddrif. Kromriver and Driehoek are very nice too, but you can walk to the Wolfberg Cracks (hikes and climbs) from the front door of your chalet. Also a short drive to the Maltese Cross/Sneeuberg parking.

If it has rained recently there will be water at the Arch in pools, otherwise the nearest water is either on the far side (Tafelberg side) of the arch at the river at Eselsbank, or a spring under the large white rock in the middle of the slope about 3/4 of the way up to cracks from Sanddrift.

The cave you scramble through to get to the amphitheater would make a great campsite. It's large, with a high roof and a flat floor. If you slept there you could leave the tent behind. If the weather is good though, I recommend sleeping at the Arch, the stars are amazing.